Referee receives threat over Igoh Ogbu’s handball in Czech

Czech Republic referee Tomas Klíma has been in the eye of the storm since he refused to award a penalty against Slavia Prague following a handball incident involving Nigerian center-back Igoh Ogbu.

Ogbu was in a similar situation as Soucek against Chelsea in the Premier League, and just like in England the situation was not deem fit as penalty.

While attempting a sliding tackle, Ogbu’s hand struck the ball before it trickled out of play. The referee blew instead for a corner kick, a decision further backed by the VAR assistant.

The Nigerian International made his second appearance for Slavia Prague in their 1-1 draw away to Teplice on Saturday after moving from Lillestroem during the January transfer window.

The Peter Olayinka led-side were far from their best after conceding just three minutes into the game at the AGC Aréna Na Stínadlech against relegation-threatened Teplice.

While looking for an equalizer, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute but missed before getting another opportunity again from the spot kick in the 74th to level matters.

A result that sparked reaction among fans and former players of both sides, beginning with former Sparta Prague and Viktoria Plzeň left-back David Limberský saying he is convinced that the referee not only made a terrible call but he should be banned for life. His stance was corroborated by former Slavia Prague star, David Kalivoda.

“Mr. Klima, you are a liar! You make people look like idiots, but most of them aren’t dumb sheep.

“Your repeated gross mistakes in favor of Slavia are already obvious to all of us. When I simulated a penalty against Sparta in 2012, referee Matějek was banned for life.

“You deserve at least three-lifetime bans. I’m curious what punishment you will get,” Limberský via Teplicky Denik

“I support Slavia a little more, but here I have to admit in a sporting way that hand contact is there to see,” David Kalivoda told O2 TV, as per Ruik.

However, the referee admitted there was contact by the Nigerian but not enough to call penalty, despite awarding two penalties to Slavia.

“I saw that there was contact between the ball and the hand,” Tomáš Klíma said.

“But I did not evaluate the intervention as a foul because the sliding player (Ogbu) played the ball into the hand with his foot. The video referee confirmed the rebound.”